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Two of Burgundy AOCs get protection in China

09 May 2024 By Arabella Mileham

Two Burgundy’s appellations – Mâcon and Gevrey-Chambertin – have been formally recognised as protected wine in China which it is hoped will serve as a model for the recognition of all of the region’s AOCs.

Gevrey-Chambertin lies in the Cote de Nuits.

The decision by China’s National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) was published to coincide with Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to France this week, although the process was started back in 2023.

The Confédération des Appellations et des Vignerons de Bourgogne (CAVB), and Bourgogne Wine Board (BIVB) welcomed the news, calling it “very good news for our AOCs” and progress made in terms of recognising the AOC’s rights.

“It is the fruit of exemplary cooperation between those involved in the Bourgogne wine industry, and government departments, Institut National des Appellations d’Origine (INAO), Ministry of Agriculture, French Embassy in China,” Thiébault Huber, president of the CAVB, and Laurent Delaunay, president of the BIVB said in a joint-statement. “In our view, this is a first step, and these two appellations are models for a more general registration of all the Bourgogne appellations.”

Trade of high-end Burgundy wines has remained consistent in Asia over the last five years according to a recent Liv-ex report, and the region has overtaken Bordeaux by value in most Asian regions (apart from Hong Kong), with Burgundy “the region’s new darling”.

According to ASC Fine Wines, Burgundy wines are garnering more and more attention among Chinese consumers. “Burgundy as a brand of wine region has steadily risen in popularity within the Chinese wine market over recent years, with its wines of all classifications garnering increasing attention,” Makoto Nagae, CEO of ASC Fine Wines told the drinks business last month.

Can Asia maintain its consistent thirst for Grand Cru Burgundy?